New CNC build.

So I started to assemble the the motors on the mounting brackets and ran into a little problem....the motors shaft size is 14 mm and the timing pulleys are 1/2 inch so tomorrow I will see if i can fine some replcements that have the correct bore of if failing that I'll just ream these out. Once thats done I can mount the motors on the machine frame.
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I also did a preliminary panel layout, I still am waiting for a 12 volt power supply and a couple of relays and a main power contactor then I should be able to wire up the panel. If I can get all the parts tomorrow I may be able to bump the motors next week..

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well I was able to get the coupling and the timing pulleys bored out to 14 mm. Nobody had what I needed in stock.
I assembles the X and Y drive train
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and mounted them on the machine.
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Th red spring thing is part o the assemby to control the engagement of the pinion gear to the rack.
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along with the Z Axis.

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The motor mounting bracket is tweaked (bent) so in order to have proper alignment I had to shim it. With all the moves this machine has undergone in the last 4 or 5 years it's a wonder more stuff isn't tweaked. I'll see if the manufacturer (CNC) has a replacement. They have changed their design since this was bought. For now I'll make do with this one. Also I don't really like the clearance of the pinion gear on the Y axis it is just clearing the top of the gantry so tomorrow I am gonna look at that. then on to the wiring. I am still waiting for the 24 volts relays, 12 Volt power supply for the motor coolant pump and the limit switched.
 
been sidetracked by LOML but I did manage today to finalize they layout and get the power wiring done. I am as till waiting for a 12 volts powere supply and some realys but I could run the machine as it is. Tomorrow I will do all the logic wiring between the Mach 3 USB card and the stepper and I will put power on the panel to check out the wiring thus far. Hopefully UPS with the rest of the parts so I can get this panel installed in the back of the machine and get to work wiring up the motors and limit switched (which are also in the UPS shipment) .... one drawback about where I live and that is I can't just run down the street and go to an electrical/ electrics suppluy house to pick up parts. I have to order in everything...

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I still need to clean up the wiring also.
 
Looks good Don. Not sure what I am seeing. I see the BOB. I see the stepper drivers (green). Do you have a separate power supply for each of the 4 stepper drivers?
yes each stepper has it own power supply. The AC contactor for the inverter will go in the center between the steppers and the power supplies above the main terminal board on the bottom. The 12 volt power supply and 2 - 24 volt control relay as well as the limit switches arrived yesterday afternoon so I am only waiting on a few more parts. I am shooting for this to be done by April 1.. ;)
 
been making progress but not really a lot to show off. I am still waiting for the 3 - 14 mm bore 30 T timing pulleys so I been working on panel wiring and testing. I still am waiting for the Spindle contactor and E stop relay to finish the panel wiring. I can't install the panel in the back of the machine and do the wiring from the motors to the panel until I finish the panel. Everything is waiting for Amazon to deliver. I decided today to put power on the panel and check out the stepper and power supplies and the Mach 3 USB interface and wiring. I installed the Mach 3 software and go it talking to the board and wired up the motors to the panel. Here is a video of the first test. It works and I didn't let out any smoke.

 
well I been designing and making and installing limit switch brackets and mechanical testing them while waiting for the rest of the electrical parts to arrive. They were due tomorrow. LOML came out to the shop and handed me three packages and lo and behold they arrived a day early.
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the bigger contactor is for the power to the spindle, the relay next to it is for the Emergency stop circuit, the power supply is the 24 volt power supply for the Mach 3 USB board I/O. the green button is for the system reset the red push button is the Machine Emergency stop and the big paddle switch is for killing machine power

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I installed the machine power disconnect on the side of the machine where I can easily access it during operation. Pushing the paddle will kill all machine power. The green button must be pressed to restore power to the machine.

I neglected to order an enclosure for the push buttons so I made one. I can always order a new one after this virus thing settle down and shipment get back to normal.
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I mounted the push button station on the front where it is easily accessible while operating the machine. Pushing the Red E stop de-energizes the emergency stop relay and kills power to the spindle and sends an E stop to the Mach 3. The green button is the system reset.
Now if the 14 mm 30 tooth timing pulleys will show up I'll be in business. Still a lot to do but getting real close. Tomorrow I will finish the control panel and work on final machine wiring.
 
Finished mounting all the components on the main control panel and wiring it up. Installed it in the back of the machine where it will reside and wired up all the main parts of the machine. Debugged the panel wiring. All that left is to clean up the wiring a bit with some cable ties, wire in the machine limits and put on the doors.


Still waiting on the 14 mm pulleys. The shipping tracking say delivery between March 27 and April 8th so they should be in this week....I hope. I have a few projects in mind like cutting out limit switch cover and the dust boot that I want to get started on. The pump and radiator for the spindle cooling are on order with delivery expected April 26th but I am not gonna let that slow me down, if needed there always a fountain pump and bucket of water if need be.
 

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I haven't had much to show lately since with the Covid thing shipment are all screwed up. I am still waiting for the 3 20 tooth 14 mm timing pulley for the X and Y axis motors. According to the shipper they will be here 'Before Wed. the 8th" I guess that means tomorrow. I have been spending my time learning the ins and out of various CAM software trying to decide just who is going to get my money.... lots to learn there so I have been creating parts programs and using them to create various NC files with I have down loaded to the machine and been doing dry runs to see how they execute. Also have used the time to learn the little idiosyncrasies of Mach 3 software. I also have been ordering some tooling. I ordered a couple of ER 20 collets (1/8" and 3/8") to go along with the 1/4" and 1/2" I already have. The collets didn't show up but some end mills that I ordered with them did.

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these are 1/8" end mills for engraving....1/8" single flute pointed, 1/8" 2 flute ball nose, 1/8" 2 flute flat end mill and 1/8" 4 flute flat nose. The collets are due in next week Monday.

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Also on another order I ordered the 12 volt coolant pump and radiator for the spindle cooling system. I need to get some tubing and a few clamps and make a box for these. It is small enough to sit right on top of the spindle carriage. Question for those running water cooled spindles what are you running for coolant.
 
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I spent the morning working on CAM software. this afternoon I mounted and plumbed up the spindle cooling system. Nothing fancy. I put clear acrylic on three sides so I can keep an eye on the coolant reservoir. I may shorten up the tubing going to the spindle but I need to run the machine first to make sure. I also didn't fill up the system yet, still trying to figure out what I am gonna need for coolant or is just distilled water adequate. I'll work on that tomorrow. 20200407_164500.jpg20200407_164519.jpg20200407_164530.jpg

The x and Y pulleys are due in tomorrow also so if they get here early enough I'll be finishing up the X and Y drive system and tuning the motors.
 
Nothing new to report except the timing pulley for the X and Y axis are not here yet they were due yesterday and no joy on this end. I checked with Amazon tracking and got this message
"
Now expected April 9 - April 14
B07TKWGSKB3
We’re very sorry your delivery is late. Most late packages arrive in a day. If you have not received your package by April 14, you can come back here the next day for a refund or replacement."

I am looking into another source. This is like trying to find the last piece in the puzzle.. :(
 
That's no fun Don.

Seems like all the "tool" and hardware stuff went from "get this tomorrow" to around May 1st now on Amazon. I'm down to about 10" of welds to finish up and my gas bottle is showing empty and the mig wire ran out. I think I at least have some flux core wire, but it's probably 15 years old.
 
well it's now April 14th and still no pulleys. I have order replacement from someone else. I can't find ANY pulley that I need domestically so I order them from offshore but from a different seller. Hopefully these will get here promised delivery by May 6th. Very frustrating....No I have to request a credit from Amazon for the units I didn't get......ARRRRRRG
 
Yeah, They had been doing pretty good, but now all of a sudden a bunch of small simple stuff that was supposed to be in stock is just sitting in their warehouse waiting to be shipped.
 
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